MICF Interview with Geoff Setty and Danny Stinson

Image courtesy of Geoff Setty and Danny Stinson 

The pair definitely have comedy chemistry, which they are putting to good use in a theatrical comedy show called Comic Conned. Here is my interview…

The Australia Times (TAT): When did you first start comedy, and how was your first gig? 

Danny Stinson (DS): I think about six years ago, my first open mic was a music open mic, it was at The Great Britain Hotel. The first one went really well- the first one killed it. My jokes were terrible though.

Geoff Setty (GS): I started in Canberra about eight years ago. I started as a lot of people do with RAW Comedy. I won.

TAT: Why do you like comedy? 

DS: I’ve always loved comedy, I grew up watching a lot of British sitcoms: Goodies and Are You Being Served?, Monty Python’s flying circus.

GS: For me it was a different path, I heard Steven Wright when I was a child. and my thought was ‘if I can write jokes nearly as good as that guy -I’m there.’

TAT: What’s an average day for you like, do you have a day job? 

DS: I’m a phyciatric nurse. So during the day I work in the community, I drive around and see people at a Centre in Broadmeadows.

GS: And I’m one of his patients (laughs). No I work in government, doing communications.

DS: Sounds very mysterious- like a spy. Taping phones…

TAT: What’s your comedy style? 

DS: Before this (show) it was all story based, and I still do a lot of story telling nights around Melbourne. But for this years show- it’s theatrical based, so it’s like nothing I’ve ever done.

GS: And it’s been challenging and fun. We met almost a year ago and had a discussion about doing something completely different, and getting ourselves out of our comfort zone. We were either going to do a zombie show or a comic book show and we decided on the comic book show. It’s written itself.

TAT: Who are your favourite comedians? 

GS: I really like Danny Stinson.

DS: I really like Geoff Setty. We do like each others stuff that’s why we are working together. Melbourne has so many good comedians, I’d be afraid to name people in case I left someone out.

GS: I think this year people should see the weirder shows, the podcasts shows, the theatrical shows.

TAT: “Comedians are damaged people” discuss…

DS: Well if they weren’t when they started… it’s a tough gig. You can be out every night in a bar away from your friends and family. Travelling can take it’s toll.

GS: I think comedians who only live comedy are damaged because there’s so much more.

TAT: What’s been a memorable moment on stage? 

DS: A gig one night that most people in Melbourne know about, where a guy called King Bread came to an open mic. He produced what must have been a five kilo fish head on stage and stabbed it with a knife. I was the one that followed him and let me tell you- it was a hard act to follow. I was on stage doing my five minutes whilst this guy was packing up knives in front of me and tossing a giant fish head into the street- it was terrifying.

TAT: Do you like audience interaction? 

GS: Yes, there’s time for us in Comic Conned to depart from the script and have a lot of fun with the audience.

TAT: Do you feel like it’s you on stage or a character? 

GS: It’s always us.

DS: Geoff used to do a character called Fredrick Jones. He was a cleaner that would wander onto stage.

TAT: Okay, tell us about the show… 

DS: It’ about a retired superhero and retired supervillian. I was going to say they don’t particularly like each other- but they do, they need each other.

GS: There’s a great Batman comic that ends with the Joker saying to Batman- ‘without me your life is meaningless’ and that’s what we are trying to create.

TAT: Why should people come and see it

DS: Because it’s different.

GS: It’s a funny show.

TAT: Out of the context of the show, if you were to have a superpower what would it be?

DS: Mindreading.

GS: Mine would be flying so I wouldn’t have traffic hassles.

 

 

You can see Comic Conned as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival…

When: 11th-22nd of April

Where: Basement Cafe, Shop 43/350 La Trobe St

Tickets: $15.30-$20.30

Information: Venue is not wheelchair accessible

Links: https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2017/shows/comicconned